Jiang Liyue softly thanked and carefully took the jade out of the box. He rubbed it with his fingertip for a moment before putting it around his neck.
Jiang Liyue’s slender neck was perfect for adorning with other colors, especially red. At this moment, the deep red woven cord, which seemed to have some years on it, wrapped around his fair skin and disappeared into his clothes, creating an indescribable allure.
Zhou Xiaoan was momentarily stunned by the sight.
The photographer did a final check and, confirming no need for reshoots, smiled at Jiang Liyue, saying, “Mr. Jiang, thank you for your hard work! It was a pleasure working with you this time, and I hope we can continue next time!”
“Pleasure working with you,” Jiang Liyue replied before turning to the changing room.
The photographer noticed Zhou Xiaoan still staring at Jiang Liyue’s departing figure, lost in thought, and lightly tapped the back of her head. “Stop staring! No matter how much you look, you won’t catch him.”
“Master!” Zhou Xiaoan playfully protested, “Even if I can’t catch him, can’t I at least look? It’s not often you get to see him in person, so I have to make the most of it.”
The teacher stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and said deeply, “He… in his heart…”
He didn’t finish the sentence and didn’t intend to continue, shaking his head and turning back to look at the photos.
Leaving the silly apprentice standing there with a face full of grievance, she really wanted to rebel against her master!
She imagined grabbing her master’s shoulders, shaking him wildly, and shouting, “Say it! Finish your sentence! You can’t just leave it hanging like that! It’s like you can’t leave a poop half-done! Ahhh! Just say it!”
But she couldn’t. After imagining a bunch of restricted scenes in her mind, she turned back to work.
After all, she still had to eat.
But she secretly decided to study with Li Jiayun at night, hoping some fans might know the origin of this “black jade.”
****
When Jiang Liyue entered the lounge, he had already changed into casual clothes, which were so ordinary they didn’t look like something a celebrity would wear.
A simple thin fleece sweatshirt paired with dark black jeans and a pair of white sneakers.
But even such ordinary clothes were worn by him in a way that made them look like the latest trend.
It gave people the feeling of, “Wow! So stylish! I could pull it off too!”
As Jiang Liyue entered, he saw Zhao Chenxing and Jiang Yun chatting animatedly, laughing and talking.
His entrance didn’t even disturb them.
Jiang Liyue lowered his eyelids, his fingers hidden under the brand’s shirt and trousers quietly clenched and then relaxed.
Jiang Liyue raised his eyes, smiled, and said, “Brother, what are you guys talking about?”
“Hahaha, Sister Jiang was just telling me about your embarrassing moments when you first entered the industry. She said the clip you sent for the audition only showed your head! It’s hilarious, what were you thinking, haha!”
Jiang Liyue looked at Zhao Chenxing, who was laughing so hard he was rubbing his cheeks, and felt helpless. This guy had always loved seeing him make a fool of himself, especially when they were kids.
Back then, he was often mistaken for a girl, causing quite a few amusing incidents.
After that, he became less talkative, and everyone’s attention gradually shifted to Zhao Chenxing, who stood in front of him, allowing him to comfortably be the background.
Jiang Liyue said pitifully, “I didn’t know anything back then, I was figuring it out all by myself, it was really pitiful. Brother, shouldn’t you feel sorry for me?”
Hearing this, Jiang Yun inexplicably got goosebumps.
Jiang Yun thought carefully and suddenly realized that Jiang Liyue’s tone when speaking to Zhao Chenxing was completely different from usual!
It was the first time she had seen Jiang Liyue in this tone, it was too creepy.
How to put it, it was like a cold snake suddenly becoming gentle and seductive, trying to lure an innocent farmer.
Thinking this, Jiang Yun looked at Jiang Liyue in horror, her whole body covered in goosebumps.
She originally thought Jiang Liyue was just a high-cold cool guy, but he completely changed in front of Zhao Chenxing.
People with multiple faces like this are the scariest!
Jiang Liyue said as he handed the clothes in his hand to the bewildered Jiang Yun.
These clothes were borrowed from the brand for the shoot and needed to be returned afterward.
Jiang Yun snapped back to reality, took the clothes, folded them neatly, and placed them in the bag beside her.
Some things, once you figure them out, you know what attitude to take in response—
She decided to play dumb and watch the show from the front row!
Yes, there’s nothing more interesting than watching a show from the front line!
Her experience of eating melons without any information gap is something those netizens behind the screen can’t understand.
Zhao Chenxing seemed very accustomed to Jiang Liyue’s weak and pitiful persona. He looked at Jiang Liyue approaching and thought, “Ha, feel sorry? We advised you to join the entertainment industry when we were kids, and you refused. Now you’re getting slapped in the face, and you want me to feel sorry for you?”
“Brother, speaking of which, you said when we were kids that if I entered the entertainment industry, you’d be my manager.” Jiang Liyue walked up to him, raised an eyebrow, and smiled.
Zhao Chenxing had a look of regret, like he had shot himself in the foot, internally regretting not bringing his brain when he left the house today. Talking to Jiang Liyue required full attention.
Mainly because they had been apart for too long, he hadn’t talked to Jiang Liyue in a long time, and he had forgotten about this.
Jiang Yun, hearing this, discreetly perked up her ears, pretending to be handling affairs while scrolling on her phone.
What?!
If this is true, wouldn’t Jiang Liyue immediately kick her out and let this young master be his manager?!
No way, although Jiang Liyue reached his current status mostly through his own efforts.
But over the past five years, even if Jiang Yun didn’t have any achievements, she had worked hard.
How could she compare to Zhao Chenxing?!
She wasn’t worthy!
Jiang Yun frowned, lamenting in her heart: Your Majesty, don’t abandon your “wife” for your “white moonlight.”
Jiang Liyue, of course, didn’t know the court drama playing out in his manager’s mind. His goal wasn’t the busy work of a manager; he wanted an assistant who could be by his side anytime, anywhere.
Jiang Liyue looked at Zhao Chenxing’s expression, which was like he had swallowed a fly, and offered a way out: “Brother, being my manager is too tiring. Let’s make it easier, just be my personal assistant, isn’t that good? It also fulfills your promise.”
Jiang Yun, hearing that her job was safe, relaxed her brows, and upon hearing “personal assistant,” she slowly raised the corners of her mouth.
If this assistant role really has potential, then Zhao Chenxing is her lucky star, solving her long-standing problem!
She couldn’t make a sound; she had to hold back and continue listening to the show.
When Zhao Chenxing heard “personal assistant,” he remembered yesterday’s “discussion” between Jiang Liyue and his mother, and today he was packed and sent to Jiang Liyue.
He glared angrily at Jiang Liyue, who was smiling beside him, and asked indignantly, “Oh? You have the nerve to bring it up? Now you want to discuss it with me? What were you doing yesterday?”
Jiang Liyue, looking at the angry Zhao Chenxing, inexplicably thought of a small cat baring its teeth and claws, pretending to be fierce. He laughed even more happily.
Seeing Jiang Liyue laughing more brightly, Zhao Chenxing felt an itch in his hands. He prepared to stand up and give Jiang Liyue a chokehold greeting, but as he reached out, he suddenly realized—
He probably couldn’t do it.
Zhao Chenxing was stunned.
Five years ago, when he went abroad, Jiang Liyue was just a little taller than him. Jiang Liyue only started growing taller in the second half of his senior year.
Originally, they were desk mates, and Jiang Liyue was even shorter than him. Later, for some reason, Jiang Liyue suddenly shot up and was moved to the seat behind him.
When Zhao Chenxing first found out he was surpassed, he wanted to prove himself and asked Jiang Liyue to bring him milk from home every day.
He continued this habit even abroad, partly because milk was cheaper than water there.
Now it seemed, it was useless!
What did he eat to grow for five years?!
Zhao Chenxing paused, incredulous, now he was actually much taller than him.
At 1.8 meters, Zhao Chenxing wasn’t considered short in southern City A, but Jiang Liyue now was estimated to be nearly 1.9 meters!
Jiang Liyue, seeing Zhao Chenxing’s halted action, first thought for a moment, then understood what Zhao Chenxing was thinking. He smiled and grabbed Zhao Chenxing’s paused hand.
He gently tugged it, shaking it slightly, and softly pleaded, “Brother, please agree, I’m really pitiful all by myself.”
Zhao Chenxing knew that at this point, the die was cast, and the rice was already cooked into porridge. His role as “assistant” was a done deal.
He just wanted to take the opportunity to tease Jiang Liyue.
After seeing Jiang Liyue’s movie abroad, he couldn’t help but wonder if this person was unhappy in the country, plus… that reason.
That’s why he decided to return home.
Zhao Chenxing withdrew his hand from Jiang Liyue’s palm, sighed, and said helplessly, “Got it, didn’t I already bring my luggage out?”
After saying that, he stared into Jiang Liyue’s eyes, angrily asking, “Are you satisfied? Laughing in your heart right now, aren’t you?”
Jiang Liyue, using his acting skills, quickly put on a smiling face, the curve of his mouth perfectly appropriate: “How could that be, brother, your opinion is as big as the sky and earth, how dare I think like that?”
Jiang Yun, knowing that Jiang Liyue had completely decided on an assistant without consulting her, internally screamed:
Alright! Jiang Liyue!
You’ve already found an assistant without discussing it with me!
Next time, are you going to report to me after you start dating?!
Of course, Jiang Yun only dared to complain in her heart. After all, Jiang Liyue was her most successful artist, and many of her current resources were accumulated thanks to Jiang Liyue. The leftovers from Jiang Liyue would be given to other artists in her care.
Moreover, with Jiang Liyue having an assistant, she could finally catch a break.
But if this assistant is Zhao Chenxing, then this break—
Might as well stay suspended.
Jiang Yun raised her hand to check the time, interrupting the playful duo, and said to Jiang Liyue, “Are we done here? Looking at the time, should we go eat first or…?”
She dragged out the last word, waiting for Jiang Liyue’s response.
Jiang Liyue looked at Zhao Chenxing’s luggage, “Let’s go home first, brother needs to drop off his luggage.”
When facing outsiders, Jiang Liyue’s tone carried his usual coldness, but when he turned to Zhao Chenxing, he seamlessly switched tones, asking, “After dropping off the luggage, can we go eat, brother?”
Jiang Yun, observing Jiang Liyue’s attitude, sighed once more. Even if they later used the “assistant” title as a cover, it wouldn’t prevent them from being exposed. Jiang Liyue’s attitude towards this “assistant” was too strange.
Thinking about the potential PR issues she might face later, Jiang Yun instantly felt overwhelmed, her face turning ashen. She struggled and said, “Xiao Jiang, maybe it’s better not to eat outside. You’re still quite popular right now, and if you’re photographed, it’ll be troublesome.”
The unspoken reason was that she feared if the two of them went out, with Jiang Liyue’s undisguised gaze and attitude, the media would have a field day.
This suggestion was exactly what Jiang Liyue wanted, so he straightforwardly said, “Alright. Brother, let’s go home together.”